‘Call themselves Greens’:Yarra council axes 25 mature trees in revamp of Burnley Golf Course

Residents are angry that the Greens-leaning Yarra council has chopped down dozens of healthy native trees at Burnley Golf Course as part of its $2.2m revamp of the site.

The removal of 25 healthy trees from Burnley Golf Course has angered residents.

Residents are angry that Greens-leaning Yarra council chopped down 25 mature, healthy trees at Burnley Golf Course as part of the $2.2m revamp of the site.

And it can be revealed the council failed to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

“Apparently only the residents have to comply with the environment requirements in Yarra,’’ resident Paul Jackson said.

“It’s just another chapter in Yarra’s mismanagement.’’

The 25 trees, all natives, got the axe over the past few weeks, leaving the course scattered with stumps and holes.

Independent councillor Stephen Jolly said the tree removal was outrageous and many residents had contacted him to voice their concerns.

“They call themselves Greens and then they cut down all these trees.’’

The council approved changes to the course in February to address the risks of stray golf balls being hit outside the golf course’s boundary and on to the Monash Freeway.

Just bare earth remains after trees were removed from Burnley Golf Course.

The nine-hole public course will be 344m shorter overall.

A Yarra council spokesperson said the redesign of the Burnley course was endorsed by council to maintain community safety.

“The works are necessary to reduce the risk of golf balls travelling over the course boundary and onto the freeway.

“Following an arborists’ report, a small number of trees and vegetation have been removed to allow for the redesign.

“Revegetation work will be undertaken by council, once the risk mitigation works are completed.’’

Mr Jackson said council bosses had failed to negotiate with the state government or Transurban over costs.

“After failing Burnley Golf Gourse and Yarra residents from the widening of CityLink, Yarra council has now mismanaged the process to correct its initial error. Yarra residents lose yet again.’’

Cr Herschel Landes, whose Melba council ward includes the course, backed the plan which including replanting, at a minimum, 10 new trees for every mature healthy tree removed.

“And that 25,000 ground-storey and mid-storey plants, shrubs and grasses will be planted to improve biodiversity outcomes at the course,’’ he said.